Introducing animal prints has the unique potential to either add a touch of class to a smart outfit or the uncanny ability to produce a nightmarish fashion disaster landing you on an episode of TLC's What Not to Wear.
There are a few essential tips you must remember if you dare to wear animal prints:
Avoid Being Too Matchy-Matchy with Your Clothing
Don't try to be cute or clever by matching too many parts of an outfit; you'll look like you're trying too hard to make a fashion statement. Instead, aim for a balanced ensemble of complementary garments and accessories (not matchy-matchy ones) that look effortless.
Be An Animal Print Minimalist
Despite the season's safari fashion trends, no one wants to feel as if they have actually just gone on safari after spending time with you. This season you'll be able to hunt down every print from classic leopard and cheetah print, to (rarer) giraffe spots, zebra stripes, and tiger lines. But restrain yourself: animal print looks best when present only in one pattern in no more than one or two elements of an outfit.
Exercise Good Fashion Judgement
Just because something is available in animal print doesn't mean it should actually be worn. There is no shortage of clothing manufacturers out there committing fashion crimes with animal print. Translation: unless you're a six-foot fashion model or a tour guide at the zoo, it's probably not a good idea to wear pants, jackets, coats or skirts in animal print patterns. Limit the print to smaller items or accessories – unless, that is, you are going for the Cruella DeVille look.
Think Safari
Print looks chic as a compliment to neutrals and solid color-schemes, especially basic black, bright white, chocolate brown, and beige, so follow the lead of this season's safari and tribal fashion trends to look chic in animal print.
Accessorize in Wild Prints
This is a no-fail, smart use of animal prints: As a handbag, shoes, a scarf, a shirt or blouse (especially under a blazer), mittens or muffs.
Animal Print Tips
- Keep everything else simple, elegant and sleek.
- You are not a lion; don't wear a wild mane. If there ever was a time to have big hair, this is not it.
- Animal print may bring out your wild side, but resist wearing animal print with a dangerously short skirt... you'll look like a cougar on the prowl, and not the kind from the zoo.
- Finally: If in doubt, do without!
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